Meanwhile, if you're only as good as your last start--we're in trouble. Johnson hasn't gone fewer than six innings since his second game of the season; he hasn't given up more than 2 ER in almost two months. Kuroda, whose last outing was in Arizona July 2, lasted only 1.2 IP and gave up 6 ER, jumping his ERA almost a half a run. Kuroda will go deeper today, but can he outduel Johnson?

Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com has quotes from Ronald Belisario's agent, Paul Kinzer: "It's just some personal problems, and he's got some things he's got to work through," Kinzer said. "It's just a lot of anxiety, and that is about all I want to say right now."

Pressed on what he meant by the word "anxiety," Kinzer declined to offer details. ...

Players placed on the restricted list are removed from a team's 40-man roster, but they can be kept there for a maximum of 30 days. Kinzer said it was too early to tell whether Belisario's absense would be short term or long term.

"We aren't sure at this point," he said. "We'll just have to see how things go."

Kinzer also said that Belisario was still in Los Angeles, but indicated the pitcher might be heading home to Venezuela at some point.

"Right now, he is [still in town], but we will have to see how things work out later," Kinzer said. "Obviously, his family is in Venezuela. But we haven't set up [any travel]."